53 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the progress which has been made in regard to developing the gas find in block 48/24 of the Celtic Sea announced by Marathon in May 1990; if any estimate of the extent of the reserves discovered is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The exploration well to which the Deputy refers is well number 48/24-3 which was temporarily plugged and abandoned on 30 April 1990. I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave the House on 24 May 1990 where I indicated that my Department had been provided with a full set of data from the well on a confidential basis.

I understand that Marathon has not yet completed its evaluation work in connection with the find. The company has not issued any public information on the well apart from its announcement of 4 May 1990 and I do not propose to elaborate on that announcement.